Reporter’s Notebook

The White House has placed an embargo on any photo release of the new West Wing Briefing Room until Monday, July 9, the White House Correspondents’ Association told members this week.

“I am working with them to move the date up so photos can be released the weekend prior to the official opening for any ‘advancer stories’… and will keep you posted on that,” WHCA President Steve Scully wrote.

However, the immediate directive from the Office of Administration and senior staff is no photo release is allowed.

On Wednesday, Tony Overton, who is coordinating the construction effort between the White House and news organizations, wrote: “Please advise press not to enter the space with cameras. Not sure what their intent is but we had a lot of traffic with still cameras in tow today and GSA/escorts were asking them not to take any photos. Hate to put them in that role. — Anthony J. Overton, Chief Facilities Officer, Executive Office of the President of the United States.”

That itchy-fingers incident prompted Scully to forward WHCA members an e-mail from the White House press aide Josh Deckard: “Press are NOT allowed to photograph the brief room during this transition–they aren’t even supposed to be in there. Press took pictures this morning and got very rude w/ the workers when they asked them to stop. Please make sure those pictures don’t run. If anyone breaks this rule from here on out they will lose their pass. Thanks.”

The White House has placed an embargo on any photo release of the new West Wing Briefing Room until Monday, July 9, the White House Correspondents’ Association told members this week.

“I am working with them to move the date up so photos can be released the weekend prior to the official opening for any ‘advancer stories’… and will keep you posted on that,” WHCA President Steve Scully wrote.

However, the immediate directive from the Office of Administration and senior staff is no photo release is allowed.

On Wednesday, Tony Overton, who is coordinating the construction effort between the White House and news organizations, wrote: “Please advise press not to enter the space with cameras. Not sure what their intent is but we had a lot of traffic with still cameras in tow today and GSA/escorts were asking them not to take any photos. Hate to put them in that role. — Anthony J. Overton, Chief Facilities Officer, Executive Office of the President of the United States.”

That itchy-fingers incident prompted Scully to forward WHCA members an e-mail from the White House press aide Josh Deckard: “Press are NOT allowed to photograph the brief room during this transition–they aren’t even supposed to be in there. Press took pictures this morning and got very rude w/ the workers when they asked them to stop. Please make sure those pictures don’t run. If anyone breaks this rule from here on out they will lose their pass. Thanks.”

Nose Didn’t Know

The White House conference center was evacuated on Monday after a bomb-sniffing dog reacted to a minivan being used for Israeli Prime Minster Ehud Olmert’s visit.

Reporters were ushered out of their temporary workspace for a 90-minute break while the Secret Service investigated. Nothing suspicious was found in the vehicle, said Secret Service spokesman Dan Blackford.

Olmert was having meetings at the Blair House, the government guest quarters on Pennsylvania Avenue across from the White House, and his schedule was not affected, members of his delegation said.

The evacuated building was the White House conference center, on Jackson Place around the corner from Blair House. These clear-outs didn’t happen when the press corps was right off the West Wing.

Party Hearty

The president and his family had to land on the Mall on Sunday because the White House lawn was set up for the big congressional picnic bash on Tuesday.

Black picnic tables and giant white tents dotted the South Lawn for the annual chow down, which the president (according to an insider) is not too fond of.

But this year at least the food will be good: The White House called in New Orleans chef Paul Prudhomme. The Cajun-cackling chef brought along hundreds of pounds of shrimp and fish from the Gulf of Mexico for the picnic and will make one of his signature dishes, blackened redfish.

The music, though, was not so hot—White House press secretary Tony Snow’s garage band, Beats Workin,’ got the gig. Bush described the band as a “bunch of mediocre musicians,” but he was only kidding. Or was he? Old Mode

Long before the advent of the Internet, White House reporters used to call in to the lower press office to hear a recording of the president’s upcoming schedule. For some reason, it’s back.

Called the “Press Announcement Line,” members of the media can dial (202) 456-2358 to hear a recording of the president’s press schedule as well as the gaggle and briefing times. Most reporters, though, will probably stick with the new-fashioned way–reading the sked on their Blackberries.

Daddy Dearest

The president got some dud gifts on Father’s Day: a CD of workout music from daughter Jenna, and some ties from the first lady. Yup, he’s just like you.

White House Chronicle on Social

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